HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. — The Chattanooga Tourism Company is responding to concerns that had been raised throughout a vote by Hamilton County commissioners to transfer hundreds of {dollars} away from tourism and as an alternative put money into sports.
Some commissioners query the tourism firm’s current pay raises and what they known as an absence of cooperation with the brand new sports company.
Now, Chattanooga Tourism Co. is addressing these concerns.
In February, commissioners determined that $480,000 can be taken away from the Chattanooga Tourism Co. That cash comes from hotel-motel tax income.
Commissioners voted to shift these funds to The Sports and Events Corporation (TSEC).
TSEC is the regional sports fee for Hamilton County. They “attract, host, and produce sports events that drive economic impact.”
Some commissioners mentioned the Chattanooga Tourism Company elevated spending on salaries final 12 months whereas chopping promoting.
They additionally cited an absence of cooperation with the brand new sports company.
In a release on Thursday, Chattanooga Tourism Co. says…
“In recent weeks, there has been discussion around rising personnel costs and whether marketing investment has decreased at Chattanooga Tourism Co. We believe it is important to address those concerns directly and provide clear, factual context about our budget, staffing decisions, and performance.”
According to Chattanooga Tourism Co…
- 2022 payroll elevated 15.5% over 2021 as a result of it included pay will increase that had been frozen for two 1/2 years due to the pandemic
- Multiple advertising positions had been moved from contract to payroll in 2023, inflicting advertising bills to lower and payroll bills to enhance
- The similar 12 months, the previous chief sports officer advocated for 2 promotions and three extra positions for sporting occasions. Those adjustments had been mirrored in budgets starting in 2023. These roles had been streamlined throughout organizational restructuring in January 2025.
- Personnel prices decreased 0.8% in 2024 and decreased one other 3.4% in 2025 following organizational restructuring
- They at the moment have 28 full time equivalents together with workers on the workplace and Visitor Information Center. At no time did the group have 52 people on workers.
- Marketing is extra than simply conventional promoting; it contains digital campaigns, public relations, occasion bid charges, and different types of monetary help
- Marketing program bills as a share of income elevated 5.9% from 2021 to 2024, per an impartial audit
- Actual advertising expenditures elevated one other 8.5% from 2024 to 2025
- Their crew serviced 271 whole conferences, conventions, and sports occasions (7.1% enhance from 2024)
- Their crew recruited 306 occasions for future years (12.5% enhance from 2024)
The firm additionally famous their 2025 investments into sporting occasions:
- 112 sporting occasions serviced
- 271 whole conferences, conventions, and sports occasions (7.1% enhance from 2024)
- 306 occasions recruited for future years (12.5% enhance from 2024)
- BlueCross Bowl acknowledged by TSSAA as “best one yet”
In 2024, Chattanooga Tourism Co. says greater than 30,000 jobs supported by tourism business.